Andy Barr for Congress

If you are one of the millions of Americans who have either lost your job already or live in fear of being the next one cut, you need to take this election in November seriously. The only way out of this economy is to change the numbers in Washington. When you hear the word "Washington" you might think of this distant place that only certain people have access to and only few people can actually change. THINK AGAIN! I am going to blog about several of our candidates from now until November. The Forum is providing several opportunities to get to know each of these candidates and ways to volunteer for their campaigns so that you can say you were a part of their victory in November. I hope you will set aside an hour or so between now and November to participate in these events. No candidate was ever elected on their own - it is a team effort and we want you to be a part of that team.

Andy Barr is running for the U.S. Congress in the 6th District of Kentucky. If you've lived in central Kentucky for a while, you've probably heard of Ben Chandler, our current 6th District U.S. Congressman. Chandler has voted the way liberal Nancy Pelosi directs him to 94% of the time!! Our representatives in DC are there to "represent" us, so why would Chandler vote with Nancy Pelosi from California? Chandler is even in favor of Cap and Trade, otherwise known as Cap and Tax. If the democrats weren't in so much trouble right now in the mid-term elections, Chandler and Pelosi would be doing their best to pass this new tax law on our businesses and killing the economy in Kentucky.



When taxes are raised on the top 2% of incomes, it affects 50% of our business and 25% of our jobs. In an economy where just about every job is at risk, why would you want to tax the actual business owners who have the ability to create the jobs we need? Ask Chandler and his buddies Obama and Pelosi. The democrats can try and run for cover away from Obama now, but the truth is still out there - they all share the same agenda of increased taxes and government control of our lives and businesses.

Andy Barr will go to Washington and stand up for our businesses, our jobs and our right to our earn what we work hard for and not have it taken by the federal government for entitlement programs.

Visit Andy's website at www.andybarrforcongress.com to learn more about him and how he will represent you in Washington. He needs our votes in November and our support now as he exposes the truth about Ben Chandler. Join the Forum at an event for Andy Barr on Thursday, September 16th, at Atomic Cafe in downtown Lexington from 5:30 to 7:30pm. It will be a great opportunity to speak with Andy, hear about his ideas for the future of our country and learn how to help his campaign so we will have a voice in Washington!

Our children are already going broke

I don't feel like I really need to say much about this photo. It sums it up well. Let's work hard this weekend and until November for our primary winners to take back this country for our children!

Take Action and Make a Difference

This little girl was shot in the head. Her entire family was executed by insurgents and she was left to die. She was recovering in a field hospital when this photo was taken. This airman was the only one who could comfort her and he got very little sleep, not leaving this chair for several nights.

I actually saw this picture on Facebook (thanks Kelly!) and it melted my heart. While we enjoy the freedoms that those in the military have provided us, we sit around and bicker over ridiculous politics. While it is very important that we fight for our beliefs and make sure our voices are heard here at home, I think we should also take some notes from pictures like these. What exactly are we doing to help others or to change the world or our country for the better? I'd like to suggest that if all you do is talk the talk, you should start walking the walk. Only real, strategic actions will change this country. Make a difference today by donating money or items to Military Missions, writing an encouraging note to send to a soldier in Iraq, making a donation to Right to Life, going door-to-door for your chosen primary candidate this weekend, feeding the homeless or spending time with a child, encouraging them and teaching them about all they have to be grateful for in this country.

Go out there and make a difference this weekend and mark your calendars next weekend so that you can walk door-to-door for your primary candidates. Take an active roll in who we put in office!

Till next time,
Ashley

Climate Change - Fact or Fiction?

While climate-change legislation has seemed to be put on the back burner in DC, it is still in the forefront of certain legislators minds. Just last week senators and industrial groups have been trying to reach a compromise on the oh-so-famous "cap and trade" idea which reduces carbon-dioxide emissions by selling pollution permits from one state to another. It's been made clear that this idea that gets certain liberals and green activists so excited, is not quite as popular across the rest of the nation.

The following are some reasons why any climate change legislation will have a hard time making it into a bill anytime soon.

1. Climate change conference in Copenhagen
Copenhagen was a disaster. President Obama walked on to a world stage assuming everyone would just jump on board his train. Instead, he was basically told to keep his climate change policies in the US and leave other countries, namely India and China, alone. And of course, why would another country listen to us, especially China, when they own a good portion of our debt? That puts them in driver's seat, not us. I guess Obama doesn't quite get that yet.

2. Health care legislation and the divisions its created
Health care legislation has clearly torn the country apart. The President who vowed to unify the country and represent America's voice is doing just the opposite. The Republican and Democrat Caucasus couldn't be more polarized, so trying to cram another bill through that needs bi-partisan support would just lead to more failure.

3. The economy
Obviously each and every company in the US is tightening its belt and eliminating any unnecessary expenses. Why would they choose to increase their expenses dramatically by supporting legislation such as this? Protecting the environment, the perfect support system God created to sustain life, is very important. However, an economy that is capable of supporting such initiatives is an absolute requirement. Sustainability should be practiced not only when dealing with the environment, but financially as well. Economic sustainability must come first, then environmental sustainability can follow.

4. The weather
It's pretty hard to convince Americans that climate change is actually a fact when at one point in the past two months, 48 states had snow on the ground at the same time. How does that play in to the science of climate change?

5. Scientific controversies
Lastly, even the EPA's own scientists have made public statements about the fallacy in claims that the current administration and the EPA themselves have supported regarding climate change and imminent disaster we face if emissions aren't dramatically limited.

Of course, most importantly to us as Kentuckians is our coal industry. It is a way of life for many of our counties and citizens. We have to support our own citizens, yet the coal industry is known for creating environmental disasters that are not only harmful for the trees, but for the Kentuckians they employ. We must find a solution to protect the jobs and the health of the workers in this industry. Hopefully we will elect someone in November who will fight for these issues in DC instead of voting against their own citizens, like Ben Chandler is expected to on issues like these.

Toyota Turmoil

Toyota employed a total of 30,473 direct employees in 2009. Of those, 10,725 are in California and 9,161 are in Kentucky. Toyota is scheduled to close its Fremont, California factory which employs 4,700 workers which will obviously make Kentucky the state with the largest Toyota work force.

How ironic is it that our government now owns a piece of GM and they are putting Toyota through the ringer over every detail within their corporation. I'm not saying that there aren't problems that should be addressed but does the federal government really need to be involved? I remember when Ford Explorer's tires kept exploding at high speeds and I definitely don't remember this type of political grand standing taking place then.

The automotive unions hold too much power. They have politicians in their pockets. The same politicians who swore that lobbyists would never have a part in their administration.

Toyota has taken the high ground every time a competitor within the automotive industry has had public issues, whether it be GM, Ford, etc. Never has Toyota pounced on their vulnerabilities. But as soon as Toyota has this first major blow to their brand, GM takes the situation and runs with it by offering incentives for trading in your "faulty" Toyota for one of their cars.

How does it make you feel to know that your tax dollars went in to a company that is now pouncing on one of the largest employers in your state? So let's just connect the dots and draw the conclusion that your money is paying for the demise of Kentucky's economy. Feels good doesn't it? It's ridiculous.

It's been great to see Congressman Davis stand up for Toyota. TEMA, the corporate headquarters for North America is based in Erlanger, Davis' district. To be honest, I don't know if Chandler has said anything - if you know, please comment. If he hasn't called an end to this political grandstanding, he needs to hear from us! There are thousands of jobs on the line, thousands of families' income on the line. Let's do our part and fight for a company that has given our communities so much.

Show Some Respect!!!

I am sick and tired of getting on Facebook and seeing Republican primary candidates attacking one another. How about you?

I realize there are differences between our primary candidates and these issues should definitely be debated and will be debated. Everyone should know exactly who they are voting for when the day comes in May and again in November. If America didn't learn this lesson in 2008, well I just don't even know what to say. However, there is so much on the line right now. People are angry, people are scared. Some are forcing themselves to stay positive and constantly looking for the light at the end of the tunnel.

When someone decides to run for office, they gain my respect just because they are putting themselves out there for all the praise and the hard times it brings. It can't be enjoyable to constantly be on the road, to constantly be smiling and shaking hands all the while working to make everyone stay positive and see the hard times through. For this, I am grateful to anyone who makes the decision to run for public office and represent the conservative values we want to see take shape in Frankfort and D.C.

With all of that said, I am so tired of seeing our candidates be bashed on facebook and in other media about the most ridiculous things! No one is perfect here, Republican or Democrat or any other party for that matter. I will respect the candidates who have enough self-control and respect for others to act like adults. Our candidates should be setting examples for how they are going to handle the opposition (liberals...not other conservatives) when they take office. If you can't even show simple respect for another Republican fighting to serve the people of Kentucky with conservative values and principles, then how will you ever manage to work with Democrats if you end up in office?? I urge our candidates to be examples to our youngest generations out there, heck...be an example for me. Show some respect and you will earn some in return.